EARTO Innovation Awards Ceremony 2010

27 October 2010 at the Permanent Representation of the Free State of Bavaria, Brussels –

  The 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize was awarded at a special ceremony at the Permanent Representation of the Free State of Bavaria in central Brussels on the afternoon of 27 October, starting at 17:00, followed by an evening reception.   The 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize was awarded to the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft for the development of a highly innovative concentrator module for solar panels. The winning innovative technology has already transformed the future of solar power by doubling the efficiency of solar panels compared to conventional silicon-based cells. It is a good example of how RTOs can exploit and adapt research effectively for the benefit of society and the economy.   Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Geoghegan-Quinn presented the 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize to the winning team, after sharing her thoughts on future direction of European research and innovation policies with the audience.   The award ceremony for the prize also featured keynote speeches by Secretary of State of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, Katja Hessel, and a representative of Belgian Capital-Region Minister Benoît Cerexhe, who currently chairs the meetings of the Research Ministers in the European Council of Ministers.   Key highlights this year were the publication of a study on the role and impact of RTOs in Europe prepared by the Technopolis Group at the request of EARTO and the publication of a set of case studies of high-impact innovations produced with a significant contribution by EARTO members.   EARTO press release Pictures from the event   Programme
  • Opening – Erkki KM Leppävuori, Director General VTT, President of EARTO
  • Katja Hessel, Secretary of State of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology
  • Alain Demaegd, Advisor to Belgian Capital-Region Minister Benoît Cerexhe
  • Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science
  • Erik Arnold, Chairman – Technopolis Group – Technopolis report on impact of RTOs in Europe
  • Award of the 2010 EARTO Innovation Prize with videos providing an overview of the shortlisted innovations
  • Drinks and buffet reception
  Press Coverage
  • CORDIS, 28 October 2010, “RTOs boost EU annual economic growth by EUR 50 billion” – link
  • Silicon Republic, 28 October 2010, “RTOs key players in European economic recovery” – link
  • Science Business, 28 October 2010, “Europe’s technology organisations demonstrate their economic worth” – link
  • Solar Novus, 28 October 2010, “Fraunhofer Receives European Innovation Prize for Concentrator PV Research” – link
  • EFY Times.Com, 28 October 2010, “Fraunhofer Is Rewarded With The European Innovation Prize” – link
  • ee News, 28 October 2010, “Fraunhofer erhält europäischen Innovationspreis” – link
  • Photovoltaik Guide, 28 October 2010, “Fraunhofer erhält Europäischen Innovationspreis” – link
  • Business Today, 28 October 2010, “Europe’s technology businesses show their economic worth” – link
  • Balkans.Com, 29 October 2010, “European Research and Technology Organisations contribute EUR 50 billion to the EU economy” – link
  • Bits Chips, 29 October 2010, “Drielaags zonnecel wint Europese innovatieprijs” – link
  • Before It’s News, 29 October 2010, “RTOs Boost EU Annual Economic Growth By EUR 50 Billion” – link
  • Linked to Balkan News, 29 October 2010, “RTOs boost EU annual economic growth by EUR 50 billion” – link
  • Cluster TWEED, 29 October 2010, “Fraunhofer ISE gets EARTO Prize for solar CPV” – link
  • Renewable Energy Focus.Com, 29 October 2010, “Fraunhofer ISE gets EARTO Prize for solar CPV” – link
  • Solar Server.Com, 31 October 2010, “PV research: Fraunhofer rewarded with the European Innovation Prize; Andreas Bett receives EARTO Prize for development of concentrator photovoltaic system” – link
  • Innovation America, 1 November 2010, “Independent Report Demonstrates Major Social and Economic Impact of Research and Technology Organisations” – link
  • The Parliament.Com, 2 November 2010, “New study calls for more recognition of research organisations” – link
  • Czelo Website, 2 November 2010, “European Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) boost EU economic growth” – link
  • Holaverde, 2 November 2010, “German Institute rewarded with the European Innovation Prize” – link
  • EuroAlert, 3 November 2010, “Research and Technology Organisations boost EU annual economic growth by 50 B€” – link
  • Chemistry World Blog, 3 November 2010, “RTOs add €50 billion to EU” – link
  • MetalPowder.net, 4 November 2010, “Innovation prize for solar cells” – link
  • EcoPeriodicals, 4 November 2010, “Fraunhofer receives European Innovation Prize for concentrator solar cells” – link